Monday, May 30, 2016

The IRONY: 2 Pastors Arrested for Sex Trafficking of Minors

Here's something from the news in Tennessee last week that clearly shows the hypocrisy and stupidity of the GOP's argument over transgender people using a bathroom. TWO PASTORS were arrested for Sex Trafficking with CHILDREN! Children are 100 times more likely to be abused by religious people than transgender or gay people. Just look at the scandals that rocked the Catholic church for decades from the U.S. to Europe. The Republican argument against transgender people is ridiculous. Instead, they should be worried about their huge voter block of "religious" people.

IN THE NEWS: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation: 2 Pastors Arrested, 32 charged for Sex Trafficking in Undercover OperationSTORY FROM KTTN. http://www.kttn.com/tennessee-bureau-of-investigation-2-pastors-arrested-32-charged-for-sex-trafficking-in-undercover-operation/ What's interesting is that they list ALL of the names of the people arrested and what they were charged with... just click the URL STORY: A three-day operation by Special
Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and detectives with
the Knoxville Police Department to combat human trafficking in Knoxville
has resulted in the arrest of 32 men and women on prostitution and
human trafficking-related charges.

The pastors arrested for trafficking children

Two of the men, including a
children’s minister, responded to ads for what they thought were girls
under the age of 18. The Knoxville anti-trafficking operation, called
“Operation Someone Like Me”, is the fifth operation of its kind in the
state between the TBI and partner agencies to help identify, investigate
and prosecute trafficking, and rescue victims.

With the partnership including the
Knoxville Police Department, Community Coalition Against Human
Trafficking, End Slavery Tennessee, and Second Life Chattanooga, TBI
Agents and intelligence analysts embarked on an undercover operation to
identify potential victims of trafficking, arrest those seeking to
purchase illicit sex from a juvenile, and learn more about the specific
nuances of this type of crime.

“Finding these people who are trying
to buy Tennessee children is a priority for us,” says TBI Director Mark
Gwyn. “We want anyone responding to these ads to think there may be a
TBI Agent on the other end of it. We will do whatever we can to make a
difference in reducing the human trafficking that takes place in
Tennessee.”During the three-day operation, undercover Agents posted ads on Backpage.com.
During that time, more than 300 contacts were made to those ads. In one
ad the Agents posed as a juvenile girl. That ad received more than two
dozen contacts.“Human trafficking is a scourge on
society,” says Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch. “We will continue to
commit all the necessary resources and work alongside our law
enforcement partners to help protect our most precious resource, our
children.”

“We’re changing the conversation about
human trafficking,” says TBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Margie
Quin. “These operations are designed to identify and help victims of
trafficking, as well as take these predators off the street.With the assistance of nonprofit
agencies Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking, End Slavery
Tennessee, and Second Life Chattanooga, the undercover operation
conducted this week also identified potential victims of trafficking.
The women were offered services provided by the nonprofits that include
housing, counseling and addiction treatment. Three women took advantage
of those services and left the operation and were immediately placed in
safe houses.Last year, Governor Bill Haslam signed
legislation into law giving TBI original jurisdiction over
investigations of human trafficking. Additionally, the state legislature
approved funding for four Special Agents, who work exclusively to
investigate human trafficking cases and train law enforcement statewide
on recognizing and combating this type of crime. These four Special
Agents, who have now completed their fifth operation across the state,
have arrested or cited just under 100 individuals during that time.Last year, as part of its commitment
to address this issue, the TBI unveiled a public awareness campaign,
entitled “IT Has To Stop,” which includes online resources, public
service announcements, and contact information for nonprofits who work
with survivors of human trafficking. Visit www.ITHasToStop.com for more information.“OPERATION SOMEONE LIKE ME” STATSSince “Operation Someone Like Me” began in May 2015, there have been 98 arrests/ citations. The investigation was conducted in
Brentwood/ Clarksville, Jackson, Chattanooga (twice, once in conjunction
with Georgia Bureau of Investigation), Knoxville.As a result of “Operation Someone Like Me” this week in Knoxville, 32 individuals were arrested/ cited.

Gift/Memorial Suggestions

Several of our friends have lost loved ones (human and pets) and we found that one of the best ways to honor their memory is to give to an animal charity. What better way to recognize a life of love, than by giving another life a chance for love? We donate to many animal rescues, but because we volunteer with DC Weimaraner Rescue and Coast-to-Coast Dachshund Rescue, those are our 2 favorites. Consider giving the chance of life to a dog or cat.

Tom and Rob Thinking Hard!

Rob's latest books on Amazon.com

Book 2: Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead

Updated for 2016! Ghostly face on the cover!

Rob's 1st book Updated for 2016!

Ghosts and Spirits

Menagerie Monday

Franklin, Tyler and Dolly

The BEST England Tour Agent

If you're looking for the perfect tour agent to organize your vacation to England, you've got to go with "Across the Pond Vacations." Anne Marie Clarke put our trip together and found the most interesting and unique places for our interests (Tudor family history and ghosts). Go to: www.atpvacations.com

Rob's Fav Pic from Baltimore Comic-Con 2013

We met Brian Sims!

State Representative Brian K. Sims is a distinguished policy attorney and civil rights advocate from Center City Philadelphia

Taking a Rest

Franklin and Dolly take a rest on the Mass./Connecticut Border

Franklin Sends You a Happy Wink

"Check out our Dog Rescues Below"

Tracking Our Dog Rescue Assists

We work with Coast-to-Coast Dachshund Rescue and D.C. Weimaraner Rescues and Bonney Blue Rescue and foster or transport dogs as often as we can (and when they mix well with our 3 kids). Here's a list of the dogs we fostered or transported:Gracie - Transported - a Beagle Mix adopted in western MD2 Unnamed Dachshunds -Transported - rescued from a breeder (we watched for 3 days) sent on to permanent foster homesCooper#1 the Dachshund - Fostered - 2-26-09 -We fostered this lovable black and tan wire-haired, easy-going, lovable senior and he was Adopted by our friends Bob and Arlene in MD in April 2009Buddy the Weimaraner - Transport 9-27-09 - We transported Buddy from no. VA to White Marsh, MD where we met Buddy's new mom Cathy from Philly. Sprite the Dachshund -Fostered and We Adopted! 12-4-10 We picked up almost 14 yr old Sprite in Frederick, Md from a rescue transporter on 12-4-10 and we fostered him. We adopted Sprite in April 2011 when we learned of his heart murmur. (Sprite passed 7-8-13 at 16 1/2 years old)Chance the Weimaraner - Rescue from shelter and Fostered- 6-10-12 - We freed Chance from the PG County Animal Shelter, and fostered through DC Area Weim Rescue. We covered his hip surgery and fostered Chance, while helping him walk again. He was adopted by our friends Whitney and Mike in PA on 7-29-12Cooper#2 the Dachshund - Fostered 9-24-15 - We fostered this little guy and he was adopted by Shayne in MD after we had Cooper for just a couple of weeks.Tuck (mix) - 5-7-13 - Transported Huck for Bonnie Blue Rescue. He came from a CT shelter, and we picked hi up in Baltimore and brought him to his new dad and mom, our friends Jon & Erin in VATyler (Dachshund) - 12-17-12- FOSTERED & WE ADOPTED! We took in and fostered Tyler a 2 year old black and tan dachshund who came from a kill shelter in NC. Our friend Robert drove there and picked him up. (read the blog: First Night with Tyler the Foster from 12-17-12) - We realized how he bonded with our Weimaraner Dolly, so we adopted him in May 2013 through the rescue.Charlie (Dachshund)- Rescue from shelter and transported to foster mom April in Md. *April adopted Charlie!* Rocco(Dachshund puppy) -Rescue from shelter and transported, we brought to foster mom Kristin in Oct.Abu -(Dachshund mix) - Rescue from shelter and transported to Emily for foster home in Delaware in Oct. Doc, now Duncan(Dachshund mix)- Rescue from shelter and transported to Katie for fostering. Duncan was adopted. Reds - Rescue from shelter and transported - This long-haired, senior red Chihuahua to Katie for transport to a Senior dog rescue in VirginiaHappy and Sami- Transported from College Park, Md to Springfield, VA (Jan. 2013)Gus -Worked with at Rescue Event - April brought Gus to us to appear at an adoption event at Pet Value, Gambrills, Md. Max -Transported. Part of a transport from White Marsh, Md. to Bowie, Md. to foster mom April in southern Maryland.JJ - Transport to adopting family This tiny 8 pound dog was transported from Washington, D.C. to Towson, Md. where we did a home visit and completed the adoption to a great familyJethro- Home inspection for DASH Rescue to place this doxie/chihuahua mix.Grayson -Worked with at Rescue Event -Worked with this 12 yr old senior Weimaraner at the Pet Valu, Gambrills, md adoption event! Heath - Transported. 9-2014a 10 year old black/tan dachshund we fostered for 3 days (who wound up being afraid of men- and went to another foster home.

Mack- Fostered 10-2014 **Adopted in Dec. 2014!**fostered from Oct. 27 until he was adopted in Dec. from Connie and Poul.Saylor - transport 12-14-14 (being fostered in Annapolis, Md thru DASH Rescue.) ~ 15lbs, 2 years, male/neutered, red smooth doxie, Heartworm negative (thankfully) & up to date on vaccines ___ sassy little man!Dapple - Transported. 12-14-14 (being fostered in Annapolis, Md thru DASH Rescue.)is a black and tan dachshund with some dapple coloring, and also 2 years old, 14 lbs. female/spayed, silver-dapple smooth doxie.Phillie - Transported. 5-2-15 A 12 yr old, sweet brown, smooth dog, to foster care because his parents "have 3 small kids and can't handle the dog." We brought him from White Marsh, MD to Alexandria, VA. (Going from NJ to TN where he is being fostered through Coast to Coast Dachshund RescueHarry -Transported. 5-23-15 the black and tan/dapple, 6 year old dachshund from White Marsh, MD to foster mom, April, southeast of Washington, DC- Trooper- Transported. 6-12-15 - This brown dapple, 2 year old dachshund came from a kill shelter in Alabama and was headed to NJ to a foster home thru DASH rescue. Milo and Max 8-2-15 Fostered and Transported *Adopted 9-1-15* This senior pair of Dachshunds came from a divorced home in Indiana and were transported to us through Ohio and our friend Scott "Bear" Elliott and many others. Milo was fostered by our friend April.. and we fostered Max and our friend April fostered Milo. They were BOTH adopted by Cindy! Adoption Story: http://tinyurl.com/osz2px8Oscar - Transported 11-21-15 - This precious senior 9 year old mini-Dachshund was given up by his family because their daughter "developed allergies." (The girl should've taken Benadryl and dealt with it). We were the first transporter and it was a heart-wrenching event. Story: http://tinyurl.com/zzjp9lnOtis -Home Visit - March 2016 - We did a home visit to Nancy who adopted this handsome little Dachshund Mix through Dachshund Rescue of No. America.Cleveland and Tommy- Sept. 2016 - We had these guys overnight a couple of nights, and drove Tommy to York, PA for his foster home. We also got Cleveland to his foster home in Maryland. Both were 5 yr old, sweet, red smooth Dachshunds. Coco and Hansel - Feb. 2017 - We drove up to Delaware together to get them. and then wound up later transporting them locally to their forever home. Winnie and Tuck - Spring 2017- We placed this mom and son in forever homes in Virginia and Maryland.Hercules - July 2017 - He didn't go through the rescue because we learned of him through a friend of a friend, and our friends Bob and Arlene were seeking to adopt, so they did!